Samford University’s Board of Trustees approved new faculty, a new academic program and candidates for fall 2018 graduation at their meeting on December 4.

Nearly 300 candidates for fall graduation were approved by the trustees. Following their vote, trustees continued their long-standing tradition of praying for the students as they prepare to graduate.

The Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice - Advanced Practice Family Nurse Practitioner was approved as a new program in the Ida Moffett School of Nursing. A new faculty member was approved in the School of Health Professions.

In support of the university’s strategic plan and campus master plan, the trustees approved a resolution for Phase I renovation of F. Page Seibert Football Stadium, which entails a new LED video display scoreboard. Seibert Stadium was constructed in 1958 and the current scoreboard is nearly 25 years old. The project will be fully funded by donor support and installed for the 2019 football season.  

The Board affirmed Gina K. Burnette, Jewel Littleton-Williams, Jeffrey S. Stephens and Hon. Randall L. Woodfin as new members of the Board of Overseers.  Peter J. Clemens IV was elected chair and Leigh Davis was elected vice chair of the Board of Overseers for the ensuing year.

The trustees reaffirmed the Samford University mission, vision, and core values.

In a series of reports by university administrators, trustees heard updates on student recruitment, advancement, university branding and progress on the campus master plan. The advancement report noted that as of November 26, more than $155.7 million has been given or pledged to the $300 million Forever Samford campaign. As of October 31, 2018, the university’s endowment was valued at $288.8 million. 

The next full meeting of the Samford University Board of Trustees is May 7, 2019.